WHEN wing Nathan Trowbridge went over in the right corner at the Millennium Stadium in May, 2012 it secured the finest moment in Cross Keys' history and was the last time that Pontypridd tasted defeat in the Swalec Cup.

Keys will attempt to repeat the trick in the capital this afternoon when the rivals tussle in the semi-finals of the tournament at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park.

The men from Pandy Park boast seven survivors from their 2012 success in their matchday squad – Trowbridge, centres Phil Williams and Leon Andrews, utility back Nathan Williams, prop Richard Cornock, lock Danny Hodge and flanker/lock Tom Lampard – and they are gunning for revenge.

Keys had to be content with runners-up medals in finals of both the Principality Premiership and Swalec Cup last season against a Ponty team that won their second successive double.

They head to the capital with a perfect record on the plastic pitch at the Arms Park having beaten Cardiff 30-24 and 38-10.

Keys, second behind Ponty in the Principality Premiership and on a run of nine successive wins, ring the changes after giving youth a chance in last Saturday's 20-13 win against Newport at Rodney Parade.

Trowbridge and Ryan James get the nod at wing and scrum-half respectively while loosehead Cornock, tighthead Anthony Lott, locks Hodge and Simon Williams and back row forward Adam Powell return.

Ponty have their usual powerful midfield combination of Dafydd Lockyer and Gavin Dacey while Keys' young back row tyros Scotty Matthews and Jack Condy will be testing themselves against the Premiership's best in Rhys Shellard and Dan Godfrey.

Head coach Greg Woods knows that it will take a 23-man effort to beat the favourites for the competition and secure a spot in the final against either Bridgend or Carmarthen Quins.

He said: "We have a strong bench and it will need to be used. The boys have got to go hard for the first 50 minutes then the replacements will need to pick it up again.

"High energy is needed against Ponty. If you are not hitting rucks and getting around the corner then you aren't going to beaten them.

"We've got a strong 23 with some bright talent and experienced players. They are excited about testing themselves against the best at our level."

Cross Keys: J Cordy-Redden, L Lewis, L Andrews (captain), P Williams, N Trowbridge, E Davies, R James, R Cornock, D Hughes, A Lott, D Hodge, S Williams, A Powell, S Matthews, J Condy. Replacements: H Palmer, L Garrett, L Brown, J Skinner, N Williams, P Uhi, J Leadbeater, T Lampard.

Pontypridd: A Summerhill, Lewis I Williams, G Dacey, D Lockyer (captain), O Jenkins, J Evans, J Raikes, J Howe, L Belcher, P Palmer, C Locke, C Dicomidis, J Thomas, R Shellard, D Godfrey. Replacements: Lloyd Williams, Lewis K Williams, D Stuckey, H Dowden, W O'Connor, L Crocker, C Phillips, D Lewis.